Valentine and The Dragon

Part 3: Two Paths, One Journey

  The morning rays of the sun, the warming energy radiating from the windows peer in and soothes the slumbering woman on her sofa. Lanterns sway ever so gently within the quiet abode, lighting the way of each and every room, even the fluffy carpets of the barren common area. The covers atop the lady slowly begin to rustle and move from her head, her head which rested upon a silk pillow designed for love seats or the beds of lovers. Those lids, shadowed in violet makeup begin to crack open, revealing her baby blues to the welcoming yet oh so irritating rays of the dawn. Our heroine groans, raising a palm to shield her eyes and slowly shift into a seated position with her back against the arm of the couch, but it seems as if it wasn't just the sun that woke her from her healing slumber but the clanging and creaking of the home. As the haze of waking started to fade she looked briefly over her shoulder towards the corridor, more specifically the master bedroom from where these noises were coming from. Thankfully, her gifted bathrobe kept her extra warm and covered, enough so that she rose from the sofa, stretching her body before taking a slow walk to the door. Unlike the past night, she had time to inspect the house and all that resided within, many trinkets and trophies, some more flashy than others, but most were simply from what she could assume was once her host's past. Nevertheless, she finally stood before the door, giving it a few gentle knocks and grumble from her throat to clear any phlegm or morning congestion. Not long after, the door opened to reveal the same young man but fashioned with a mighty gunblade and attire befitting that of a gunbreaker, dark blue and black in coloration, to compliment his blue facial tattoos and white hair. She seemed slightly startled but they stood on roughly equal stance and height so that shock simply flew away leaving her to just adjust her hair and speak casually as if they were two friends that happened to live together.

Ivy: "Good morning, and my my, what impressive armor you have. Though, the blade seems rather strange..."

Sarko: "My gunblade? Nonsense, simply my own design with added flair. Also my thanks, the fingerless gloves are the highlight of my gear, in my opinion of course."

Ivy: "I see I see, well, I hate to ask but would you mind making us both some breakfast? I am starving."

Sarko: "Say no more! What would you prefer?"

Ivy: "Anything, though that tea was delightful, perhaps you can brew some more?"

Sarko: "Of course, all you need do is relax. Oh! Before I forget, I have a coat that you may use for the time being when we depart, that way you don't freeze."

Ivy: "You're too kind, truly, thank you."

  The woman watches as the warrior turns on his heels, opening a closet for a brief moment and pulling out a large trench-like coat with fur on the interior, fur befitting a lone wolf and or an infamous vigilante. Ivy had little time to inspect the rest of the room, finding herself being handed the coat gently which she couldn't be more thankful for. Both exchanged a smile before walking in tandem back out to the common room and kitchen, though she seemed to be getting goosebumps, from the cold? from his hospitality? or something else... she did not know. Nevertheless, she approached her gear, using her middle finger to part her bangs and bend over, reaching towards the pile to get dressed whilst the man of the household had entered the kitchen, setting a kettle on and getting a plate or two with a pan on an open burner. Before she disrobed from the bathrobe, she took a moment to glance over at the back of Sarko then back to both her hands which were gripping the folds of the robe. She took a deep breath and quickly removed the snuggling bath coat, revealing herself briefly before she managed to pull that purple outfit over her nude body, tieing the strings with haste before she stopped, catching her breath with a few panicked pants. But to her shock, a bundle of her jewelry that she had forgotten in the bath the night prior was handed to her, eliciting a slow head turn towards the young man who had his hand outstretched.

Ivy: "D-Did you see...-"

Sarko: "We are both adults, not children, but if it helps you Mistress, no, I shielded my eyes."

  Her embarrassment had been alleviated, for the time being, reaching into his palm and getting a hold of all the expensive jewelry she had left, taking the time to put each one on delicately, even the choker. Both her arms dropped to her sides, one wrapped in the purple of her outfit, the other seemingly barren of her golden armor that had claws that would go over her fingers, but it didn't take long before that too joined her body, making her outfit complete, save one 'Valentine' sword that was resting upon the coffee table. Ivy's lids closed for a moment with a distressed sigh, opening just as slowly to gaze over at the man that was nearly finished with their food, the hissing cries of the kettle silenced once he set it aside for the time being. The clicking of feminine high heels filled the air once she entered the kitchen, deciding it was only polite to aid her host in finishing, even making the tea herself with her own special methods. Sarko didn't mind this in the slightest, nor did he gawk at her as any normal man would, simply finishing the meal and setting it on plates for them both. 

  With the gesture of the hand, both of them marched across the wooden floor to the sofas that both were so accustomed to, the young man taking the time to set his weapon beside Ivy's and move the bedsheet over the back of the couch so that both could sit with one another. The heroine set the two cups of tea down on their proper saucers with care before she sat not too far from Sarko, crossing one leg over another and starting to eat her meal, but it seemed that her host was in the lead which just made her giggle a bit inside. But as the heavy plates started to get more and more barren alongside their tea slowly being consumed likewise, she turned towards him with a sly smirk and her head resting upon her palm.

Ivy: "I must ask, truthfully, how has no woman claimed you, it astounds me."

Sarko: "When peering into my past, the reasons for my solitude are enough to sway anyone from being my partner or lover. Though, I always hoped for a day when I embrace my dearest and see my two little ones at play."

Ivy: "The simple life..."

Sarko: "Indeed, I don't seek to wield this blade for eternity, nor do I owe anything to anyone, but I do it because of my past."

  The blue eyes of the woman glanced down at her heel toes for a moment then back towards the enigma that was her future comrade. That sly smirk had faded into pure wonder and curiosity but he seemed to be staring off into space, not even daring to look over at her which she took note of.

Ivy: "Why don't you look at me?"

Sarko: "Politeness and my anxiousness of interactions with others."

Ivy: "Dear, you have nothing to fear of me, as for politeness, I appreciate treating me like a lady, but I like to view the eyes of my comrades when we speak."

  Any commoner worth their salt could tell that this was rooted deep within the Midlander, not simply due to his solitude or fear of others, something far more emotional if not a piece of his very soul. However, she respected his silence and his refusal to move closer to her, just opting to inspect her nails, then the coat that was draped over one of the recliners near the fire. 

Ivy: "I have so many questions but such little time, I don't believe I'll ever fully understand the world I have entered..."

Sarko: "Pardon?"

Ivy: "I'm not of this world, nor universe... I shouldn't even be here yet here I am... My purpose nearly fulfilled if it wasn't for magics that are out of my comprehension."

Sarko: "Then... how did you get here..."

Ivy: "I stood atop this tower, before me was a sword infused of pure evil... It had collected all but one of its pieces from when it was shattered, the final piece I wielded myself, knowing full well what would become of me when I destroyed it. When I struck it to deal a final blow, a powerful vortex emerged, sucking both me and the wretched blade in with me, but the final piece was lost, perhaps remaining atop that very tower."

Sarko: "So... that's how you arrived in Coerthas... but where is this sword I wonder."

Ivy: "Plunged into the earth of this world, spreading vile evil unlike any other. If in the wrong hands, it will be the end of days..."

Sarko: "Another calamity, and here I believed after Elidibus that we would all be safe, seems I was wrong."

Ivy: "Perhaps a story you may tell me on the journey to the city, but that is how I arrived and it is my duty to destroy that evil before it can destroy us, even at the cost of my own life..."

  The mention of such a sacrifice perked the ears of the young man, causing him to finally look over and her to him in vice versa, one was concerned, the other at peace. His position shifted from leaning forwards to reclining while she did the same, shifting around a bit and running a pair of fingers through her bangs.

Sarko: "But why at the cost of your own life?"

Ivy: "Why does it matter to you dear?"

Sarko: "Because I care for others and the only one that should be sacrificing themselves is me. I too don't belong here, my righteous crusade of vengeance caused so much pain and death that it led me to my solitude. I became the monsters that murdered my parents, therefore, my death would atone for all of my sins."

Ivy: "I see though mine is required. My blood flows through that blade from my father, once I killed him, all that was left was my blood to spill and the sword would finally be vanquished. Neither of us were meant to live our lives to the fullest it seems, but it is where we came from that determines such a fate."

Sarko: "I guess we both got the short end of the stick hm? But rest assured, all is not what it seems, and if you'll have me, I'll aid you on your quest to destroy that sword."

  Such words caused the veteran woman to crack a reassured smile, a smile that her comrade seemed to take note of as well, though instead of a romantic move, he reached over and patted her shoulder, leaving his hand there while she looked back, giving a slow nod.

Ivy: "And I will accompany you on your quest of redemption... if you'll have me..."

  The hesitation in her hand showed but it reached to the hand that was on her shoulder, resting atop it with her thumb rubbing the gloved top of his hand, and to show his approval, a nod of his own. Both felt a bit of that awkward tension and decided to rise to their feet, setting everything neatly on the table before they grasped their respective swords, Sarko sheathing it on his back while Ivy just clasped the living sword to the back of her belt as best she could. The woman, with her heels clicking beneath her, grabbed the coat and swung it around her, but at the same time, having a bit of difficulty with her armored arm and the sleeve but the young man approached, pulling a small blade from thin air and slicing the shoulder and sleeve right off for her when she asked why he simply responded with a smirk and a casual tone;

Sarko: "Keep it, but sorry if it smells like cologne."

  Which she retorted with a smirk of her own, joining him at the door with a soft stroke of his chin, running her soft fingertips down his neck before she said in a semi-sarcastic voice;

Ivy: "Oh so tempting...~"